Three beautiful women cover April 2009 issue of Essence Magazine. Oscar nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, tennis star Serena Williams, and model/enterepreneur Iman are featured in the magazine’s “Ageless Beauties” edition. They look gorgeous! Luvin Taraji right now!

Halle Berry graces the cover of Essence Magazine’s Hollywood issue which hit newsstands yesterday. This is the seventh time the actress has covered the magazine. In the cover story, Berry talks about her baby girl, dating a white man, and much more. Check out some interesting excerpts from the article:

On dating a White man:
“I tried Black men. I tried,” she wails in a mock southern accent. “I married two Black men. You know I tried.” She laughs again before making clear that “I don’t hold all Black males responsible because of the two bad eggs I got. I even dated Black men after my last divorce, but this is just where I found love.”

On Halle’s baby girl, Nahla:
“When I looked at the stick and saw I was pregnant … I was so happy. I thought I knew love before, but I’ve never felt anything like this.” Although Halle loves working, it takes a great script to tear her away from Nahla. “A film has to be really special for me to leave the house. I have to love it. I mean really, really love it.”

On her boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry:
“I feel more married now than I did in any of my actual marriages. We live the truth of that and that’s more important than a piece of paper.” Will it be forever? She doesn’t know but says, “All I know is that at this moment, it feels fantastic.”
On shaving her head for a role in “Nappily Ever After”:
“I’m shaving it off!” People quoted her as telling Essence magazine. “I know. Here comes the controversy, but … it’ll grow back, I hope!” she added.

Behind the Scenes of Photoshoot:

The March 2009 issue hit newsstands on February 12.

LisaRaye McCoy-Misick went from a fairy-tale life to the harsh reality of a “very public” split from her husband. The First lady of Turks and Caicos is now preparing for her pending divorce from her husband Premier Michael Misick. As we previously reported last year, the couple was involved in a domestic violence incident that occured at their home. LisaRaye spoke exclusively with ESSENCE.com about what really went down. Check out some excerpts from the interview:

ESSENCE.COM: Nice to hear from you. You’ve laid low since all the hoopla surrounding your marriage to Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick. How have you been holding up?
LISARAYE McCOY-MISICK: Why is it that people don’t embrace one another when we’re going through a tough time? Some of the things I read about me were so wrong and hurtful, but I am fine. It’s okay to move forward because things happen. Does it hurt? Yes. Am I disappointed? Incredibly. But this too shall pass.

ESSENCE.COM: Is it difficult to go through rough times publicly, especially with a spouse.
LISARAYE: Yes. There is a law in Turks and Caicos that you must remain married for three years before you begin any kind of divorce proceedings. If you want to get a divorce before that you have to be able to prove certain things that will grant you the right to do so.

ESSENCE.COM: What evidence did you provide that helped you in your case?
LISARAYE: I can’t be specific right now. I will say that there are things that happen within a marriage which can disrespect the union and actions can be taken against those things. As an actress, I have put myself out there as an independent Black woman, a single mom, a go-getter, a hustler who isn’t afraid to survive. If you get with a man who goes against who you are or what you believe in, people who know you begin to say, “Hey, that’s not the LisaRaye I know.” As his wife, my name has been associated with things that I have nothing to do with, and I have to fight to clear my name.

ESSENCE.COM: When you say you have to “fight for your name” are you referring to the British investigation into the government of Turks and Caicos and its leader, your estranged husband?
LISARAYE: Yes. I have been summoned to the hearing for questioning from the commission regarding the corruption inquiry into my husband’s government.

ESSENCE.COM: Do you believe your husband is innocent or guilty of those allegations?
LISARAYE: That’s not for me to decide.

ESSENCE.COM: Do you think that you and your husband could have avoided such a public war?
LISARAYE: Honestly, I hoped our divorce could be amicable. I’m saying to him, “Let’s get it over with so we can move on with our lives. It’s not fair to keep me involved in all this mess that I know nothing about… I’m human and enough is enough.” I’m going through some things, but I’ve been quiet and haven’t spoken to my country. I was trying to bow out gracefully, but after a while the Southside [of Chicago] had to come forward and finally say, “Hold on! Wait a minute!”

To see the rest of the interview, log on to Essence.com

Actor, Michael Jai White and his wife Dr. Courtenay Chatman, shared some x-clusive pictures with Essence. They newlyweds welcomed their first baby girl together named Morgan Michelle. Michael Says, “I welcome every cry, whimper and movement, and I don’t think there’s any noise she’s going to make that I’ll ever get tired of…I’m in love like you would never believe. And her mom echoes those sentiments”. Aren’t the pics so precious! Awww!

As you may recall, White has appeared in films such as ”The Dark Knight” and Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?”. Michael White has two sons and Chatman has three children from a previous relationship.

Thx Sassy

Source: Essence.com

Oprah Winfrey is among a number of celebrities due in New York tonight for a benefit honoring Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine. Diddy, Terry McMillan, Donnie McClurkin and Ruby Dee are also on the bill to salute Taylor’s 37 years with the magazine targeted to African- American women.

President-elect Barack Obama and soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama grace the cover of the January 2009 issue of Essence Magazine, on newsstands December 12. The couple will have a 56-page-tribute. I can’t wait!

Last year around this time, I reported that Al B. Sure and Diddy were beefing over the theme of his son’s party. As you may know Al B and Kim Porter (Diddy’s baby momma/girlfriend) have a son together, named Quincy and Sure was upset that Diddy themed Kim’s son’s bday “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy”…

Well, Essence.com met up with Al B. Sure recently and he spoke about the incident, check it out here:

ESSENCE.COM: Absolutely, everyone needs to stay on the grind for what they truly want in life. Which brings me to the rumor that you wanted Quincy, your youngest son with Kim Porter, who also has children with Diddy, to acknowledge you as his father and not Diddy during his birthday bash (the party and its preparation were documented for MTV’s “Sweet Sixteen” series), which you failed to attend because you wanted them to change the theme title from “Stuntin Like My Daddy”?

SURE!: That’s absolutely not true. I never had a conversation about changing the theme name of the party. Zero. [Editor's Note: Forgive us, but we can't resist but recite his lyrics "You think you dope on the rope? Nope. Zero on the strength!"] I don’t discuss my personal life, but I will say this: I truly think the world of Sean. I respect him and he respects me. He’s a great stepfather to Quincy, and Kim is a great mother. We all grew up together, so I just laugh when people, or should I say groupies, are concerned more about what’s going on in your life than theirs. I don’t even know how my name ends up in any gossip because I haven’t been out [as an artist] since Kung Fu (laughs.) What I’m most grateful for is that I have the most famous family on the planet, but at the end of the day, folks paying so much attention to notoriety is tired. What kind of grown a– man or woman is concerned about something that doesn’t concern them. [These bloggers] shouldn’t vent if they can’t offer resolve. So that’s all I have to say about my personal life.

Y’all know that you loved you SOME AL B. SURE back in the day!

More on Essence.com Al. B Sure Interview HERE

Lisa Wu Hartwell’s husband has been by her side for the past three years. Ed Hartwell is a former linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. Hartwell says that he didn’t want to be a part of all the drama between the girls on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, but he would do anything for his leading lady! Essence.com had an exclusive interview with Mr. Hartweel to discuss the reality show, his relationship with Lisa Wu’s ex, Keith Sweat, and more…check it out here:

ESSENCE.COM: Hey, Mr. Hartwell, how does it feel to live under the microscope of America?

ED HARTWELL: When I was a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, people always asked me why didn’t do shows like “MTV Cribs.” I’ve never been into allowing folks to see everything you’re doing, because then you put all of your business out there. After Lisa told me this show was something she wanted to do, I wanted to support her because it’s her line of work as a [burgeoning] actress and screenwriter. Our decision to be on the show gave us great exposure for our businesses. If I had been approached, I probably would never have done it, but I don’t have any regrets. We have so much going on; it didn’t really interrupt our lives.

ESSENCE.COM: Was there ever a moment that you had to put your foot down and tell the camera crew to chill because they were too invasive?
HARTWELL: Yes, one time and that’s when Lisa was sick. The crew came by and shot her, but after that taping I had to rush her to the hospital because her fever was a 104 and they wanted to film that but I told them no. Another day, there was going to be a hurricane and I called Lisa and told her to come home. I know she’s doing a show, but I’m her husband and I want her home safe with me.
ESSENCE.COM: A real man puts his foot down for his woman! So even after all the drama that has gone down between Lisa and Kim, which the blogosphere believe is staged, you have no regrets?
HARTWELL: No, and it’s not staged. Unfortunately, it’s as real as it gets. It’s not staged. I think it’s crazy because a lot of things that they are saying are lies. Did Lisa make a phone call to Kim? Yes. Did she threaten her life? No. [The ladies] are taking it way too far but eventually the truth will come out because there are only so many lies that you can continue to tell other people [before] they start mistrusting you, and after a while you lie so much you begin to forget your own lies, which has been happening. In the end, you ruin yourself and your reputation. It’s all catty. I know Lisa doesn’t do drama either, but she got dragged into it because she’s human and was offended.
ESSENCE.COM: So do you think your wife did the right thing by defending herself?
HARTWELL: I told her that I had to deal with this stuff all the time when I was playing ball, as far as all the negative comments. I told her to speak from the heart and give her rebuttal and leave it alone. If she didn’t speak on it, people will assume that it’s the truth if you remain silent. Lisa’s response was never to bash but to set the record straight and say her peace. The more she keeps it going, she will give Kim what she wants and that’s more attention. It’s not worth it.
ESSENCE.COM: Well, let’s end it here. How is your relationship with Lisa’s sons, Justin and Jordan?
HARTWELL: Me and my sons have a great relationship. I tell everyone I have three sons. They call me dad; I never say my stepkids, they are my sons. Every kid is different but they are both wonderful children. My eldest son is about to turn 14 and I have conversations with him that I can’t have with Justin. Jordan wants to train, so now we’re both training.
ESSENCE.COM; That’s great that you’re involved in their lives. Do you have a good relationship with their father, Keith Sweat?
HARTWELL: Not at all. The reason is because [when I started dating] Lisa there was a lot that I had to stop from happening. I had to lay down the law, man to man. Have I tried to work out some things and put our differences to the side for the sake of the kids? Absolutely. I don’t like to play games.
ESSENCE.COM: Blended families can be difficult to have. Now, back to you: Last night, we learned that you aren’t returning to football. What made you change your mind?
HARTWELL: Football, I love it to death, but it takes a toll. Watching my sons play football is a treat, but it’s a short career. At 30 years old, I’m considered an old man in the game. Football players need to remember that the day you start playing you should be thinking about your future and what’s going to generate your next income. [They should start] implementing a game plan from Day One. I played for eight years until I suffered a knee injury. Although I got calls and the Raiders wanted me, Lisa and I decided I was needed here more so we’re running our businesses together and I have some businesses I’m working on myself.
ESSENCE.COM: Are you looking forward to living under a microscope for a second season?
HARTWELL: Now that I know how they run things, I think the second season will be a lot easier. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope everything works out and that we can have both Justin and Jordan be a part of this family experience. People would be able to see that we are a family and spend time with them as much as we can. Right now, the schedule has been crazy with all that’s going on but the boys visit us every other weekend and any additional visitations that she and [her ex] agree upon and holidays. Having them on the show next season would mean a lot to me and Lisa.

What a sweetie

Source: Essence.com

Essence Magazine put together a special year-end issue with the 25 most influential and distinguished African-Americans who made a difference. Of course, President-elect Obama made top of the list. “President-elect Barack Obama’s historic win was the pinnacle of an amazing year in African-American achievement,” says the magazine’s editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. “Essence is so proud to acknowledge the top 25 African-Americans who followed suit with extraordinary steps in news, music, film, politics, activism and fashion and emerged as the game changers of 2008.”

Essence magazine’s 25 Most Influential List:

    Barack Obama – President-elect
    Donna Brazile – Political Strategist, Commentator
    Gwen Ifill – Journalist
    Valerie Jarrett – President and CEO, The Habitat Company, Adviser
     to Barack Obama
    Queen Latifah – Singer, Actress, Jenny Craig Spokesperson
    Will Smith – Box Office Titan
    Wyclef Jean – Musician, Activist
    Kanye West – Hip-Hop Artist, Producer
    will.i.am – Musician, Activist
    Tyler Perry – Writer, Actor, Director, Producer, Studio Owner
    Michel Martin – Tell Me More, Host
    Adaora Udoji – The Take Away, Host
    Michele Norris – All Things Considered, Host
    Bev Smith – The Bev Smith Show, Host
    Farai Chideya – News & Notes, Host
    Van Jones – Founder and President, Green For All
    Ian Smith, M.D. – Diet Expert, Author, Television Host
    David Paterson – Governor, New York
    Bethann Hardison – Advocate for Black Models
    Phill Wilson – CEO, Black Aids Institute
    Reverend Leah Daughtry – CEO, Democratic National Convention
    Mark Whitaker – Washington Bureau Chief, NBC News
    Candace Parker – WNBA Star
    Patrick Robinson – Lead Fashion Designer, GAP
    James Rucker – Internet Civil Rights Activist       

Who do you think belongs on this list?

Uh Oh! More Real Housewives of Atlanta drama! Kim Zolciak told TMZ.com that Lisa Wu Hartwell left some threatening voicemails after their heated argument on the reunion show. Apparently Lisa is very upset with Kim because she heard that Kim was talking behind her back about her three children (two with Keith Sweat and one baby with NFL hubby Ed Hartwell).

As I previously reported earlier this week…Lisa said although she is a very nice person, “When you come after my integrity or my family, then you’re going to see a different person.”      

Kim’s revealed that Lisa said her her voicemail: “I am not the one — you need to call me. I might just be coming to your house.”  Kim got SCARED! LMAO!

TMZ KIM/LISA CLIP HERE

UDPATE…It has been confirmed by Essence (my Network) that Kim and Zolciak and Big Poppa are a wrap!!!

Per Essence.com:

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kim Zolciak spoke with ESSENCE.com this week to confirm that she and secret boyfriend otherwise known as Big Poppa were going through some problems. While Kim admits that her mystery guy is in the midst of a divorce, she also says that she and Big Poppa are currently taking time off from one another.”We’re on an off right now. The show has definitely taken a toll on our relationship too so we will see what happens. We’re still engaged but the footage, the gossip, the show, the rumors are all the reasons why I didn’t have him on the show. It was completely my decision and it had nothing to do with him being married.”

pic source: Essence.com

Will and Jada Smith grace the cover of the December issue of Essence Magazine. The couple’s cover story is about “Black Love” and their close relationship. Do you think Will and Smith symbolize the true “essence” of black love? Let us know your thoughts.

More Pics:

source Essence Magazine

Essence.com caught up with “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” loud and abnoxious, NeNe. Love that girl. In an X-clusive interview, NeNe talks about the inside scoop on the successful show, exotic dancer rumors, and her breaking free from an abusive relationship in the past…Check out the interview here:

ESSENCE.COM: NeNe, the show has become such a hit! Without giving away too much, what can we expect from the rest of this season on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”?

NENE LEAKES: You will see alliances change among the girls and find out whether or not Curtis is my father. When I found out the results of the DNA test, I [was] surprised, and you will also see my son going off to college at Clark Atlanta University.

ESSENCE.COM: There has definitely been some conflict between you and a couple of the other ladies on the show. What are your relationships like with Sheree and Kim today?

LEAKES: We are cordial. Sheree and I will probably never be the same. We’ve known each other the longest-seven years. I avoid making the same mistake twice. I don’t think that we’ll ever have the same relationship again, but we are cordial [because] we have to work together. And Kim is something else. She is a piece of work. As an adult, I’ve learned that I like to be around women when the friendship is stress-free. Since the show has ended, I’m closest to Lisa. I do feel as though my relationship with Kim’s daughter Brielle has been strained somewhat as a result [of my relationship with her mother]. I really do love Brielle, she and I really clicked when we first met, so it is kind of hard for me.

ESSENCE.COM: Since we last spoke, rumors have circulated on the Web about you having once been an “exotic dancer.” Is this true?

LEAKES: Well, you know I don’t read the blogs, but I dance every night at home for Gregg [my husband] and he loves it. (Laughs.) I don’t have a pole, but I dance around this silk plant in the corner.

ESSENCE.COM: (Laughs.) Alrighty then! Your husband, Gregg, is not a ball player, but a successful businessman, which is refreshing on the show. What exactly does he do and how do you keep the fire going after 11 years of marriage?

LEAKES: You don’t have to date an athlete to be successful. Gregg is a real estate investor. When I first met him he owned several cellular phone businesses, and then he got into flipping houses. Since the market is so bad in Atlanta right now, we are pursuing other ventures together as entrepreneurs. I like smart men. (Laughs.) I am his second wife and he’s 13 years older than me. He supports me. I think communication is key, so I don’t like to argue with Gregg.

ESSENCE.COM: As you know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. What is your organization, The Twisted Hearts Foundation, doing to promote awareness?

LEAKES: Lisa and I are writing a book together and already have a title, “Battered But Not Broken.” We’re just going to tell a little bit of both of our stories of [surviving] violent relationships. And then on the show I had my first annual Big Hat Brunch. This year we raised about $45,000, as you will see on a future episode, and next year I hope to raise $150,000. We’re going to invite even more women. I also volunteer at a shelter in Atlanta called My Sister’s House. I help serve food to women there who have been displaced and I mentor as well. There are a lot of young girls, as young as 20, at My Sister’s House who have already been victims of domestic violence.

ESSENCE.COM: How were you a victim of domestic violence?

LEAKES: I was in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. It was really bad and it took me a while to finally break out of the relationship. He had a night job at the time so I was able to sneak out into a new apartment [that he didn't know the address to] while he was at work. I knew that he could not know where I lived. I had to go into hiding for a while. That was how I finally got away. He was very abusive when we were together; he busted my car windows, flattened my tires. I thought I was in love with this fool. I was very young and confused. I would try to break up with him, but he didn’t like to take no for an answer. I really wanted it to work.

ESSENCE.COM: One last thing before we go. What do you have to say to those readers who think you are “ghetto”?

LEAKES: Oh, yeah, I love that one. I’m okay with it. If keeping it real is ghetto, then I’m ghetto. I am not a fake person and I’m not about to change. I’m the life of the party, chile!

So, did you watch last night’s episode? What do you think about Sheree? What do you think about Kim? Leave us your thoughts!

source Essence.com

Jesse Jackson gets up close and personal with the editors of Essence and speaks about his remarks toward Sen. Barack Obama. He also talks about his role at the upcoming Democratic National Covention.

In a candid interview with the editors of Essence, Jesse Jackson speaks on his remarks about Sen. Barack Obama, the role he’ll play at the upcoming Democratic National Convention and why he’s still relevant. Contrary to the reports that said that he would not attend, Jackson says, he will be there but only as an Obama supporter and nothing more.

Check out excerpts from the interview:

ESSENCE.COM: Many younger African-Americans have been complaining that the old guard civil rights leaders focus too much on African-Americans as victims rather than moving the race forward. What do you think about this point of view?
JACKSON: This “old guard, new guard” is an unhealthy division. Politics must be inter-generational. You need Barack on the one hand to talk, you need Charlie Rangel, chair of House Ways & Means [Committee], and John Conyers, chair of our House Judiciary [Committee]. In politics you grow by adding and multiplying, not by subtracting and dividing. So “old guard vs. new guard” is not a healthy combination. The reality is that we achieved the right to vote, we achieved freedom, but we didn’t achieve equality, and that is the remaining civil rights work.

ESSENCE.COM: The rapper Nas and writer Kevin Powell, who is running for Congress in Brooklyn, have said that you particularly, and other civil rights leaders, are no longer relevant and need to step aside. How do you remain relevant to this newer generation?
JACKSON: The reality is that if you’re running for Congress, you need the votes of senior citizens. You need the votes of churches. You are not getting in Congress on a youth vote. That’s not the mass that you need to win a congressional seat. You need an intergenerational, multicultural coalition. And that experience cannot be thrown away. In Dr. King’s time, Dr. King was 34, but he reached out to A. Philip Randolph. It took both A. Philip Randolph and Dr. King in tandem to make the March on Washington take place.

ESSENCE.COM: We’ve seen you champion African-American issues and fight against injustice. Many people simply want to know, when you mentioned the N-word in your off-air remarks about Obama last month—why? They want you to tell them, as an African-American, why did that happen?
JACKSON: It should not have happened. What was private talk became public controversy, and I am embarrassed by that. There is no virtue in that kind of talk, and it should always be discouraged. My appeal even then was that responsibility is a significant message, but our needs require real government intervention and private sector incentives to address the issues of unemployment, building affordable housing and making education more affordable, which really was my point. It was a very painful period for me to have gone through that. The good news is that it’s behind us now.

ESSENCE.COM: Have you talked to Obama about it?
JACKSON: Yes. As a matter of fact, he sent me a welcome to the convention and made credentials available to me. We’ve gone on to the next stage.  read more…

source Essence.com

Rihanna is in the September issue of Essence magazine and she looks FAB! Check out some of the pics:

VISIT Essence.com

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama joins wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia on the September 2008 cover of Essence Magazine. Damn, Obama’s are on every cover! Great Publicity!

Who will you be voting for and Why? What kind of changes do you want to see in our nation!

Leave your comments!

Visit: www.essence.com

Mario gets a lil’ personal with Essence.com about his Do Right Foundation and his mother’s drug addiction. His foundation helps kids in drug-prevalent environments cope, something that Mario had to deal with growing up. In 2007, Mario allowed MTV to capture his life with his mother who was battling a 20-year drug addiction. Mario says he fears that his mother might relapse, but channels is fears in his Do Right Foundation. Check out his interview with Essence.com wherein he talks about his mother’s addiction, his future legacy, and the steamy rumors about him and Dancing With the Stars partner Karina Smirnoff.

Mario Interview with Essence

Thank you Loyal Reader SassyBear!

As previously reported, Ruben Studdard and his girlfriend of nearly two years, Surata “Zuri” McCant, recently got married in a lavish, contemporary southern-style wedding in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Essence got the opportunity to speak with the couple just 24 hours after their wedding and also got exclusive pictures from the beautiful ceremony…Check them out…

More wedding details and pics can be seen at here: Ruben & Zuri Pics 

Yesterday we posted a preview of Usher and his son (Usher V) cover on Essence Magazine August issue. Check out the interview conducted by actor/author Hill Harper where he gets Usher to open up about fatherhood, his marraige and rumors…

Here is a sneak peak:

HILL HARPER: In the last year, you got married and you’ve had a baby. Which has changed you more?

USHER: They’re both linked—I can’t have one without the other. But the one thing that changed me the most is having a wife. Our child is an extension of that union.

HARPER: Why?

USHER: Because now I represent what he is to become. He’s gonna admire me, he’s gonna look up to me. He’s gonna say, “I wanna be”—or he should say— “I wanna be like my father. I wanna be a man of valor. I wanna possess what my father has as a man.” To get married was a choice. To have a child is a responsibility.

read more at essence.com

Check out a sneak peak of Usher and his Son cover shoot for Essence Magazine August issue. Isn’t Usher IV the cutest thing! The issue will be out soon!

The 2008 Essence Music Festival will feature an amazing line-up. Essence headliners this year include Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, LL Cool J, and Morris Day and The Time as well as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Maze has closed out the festival each year since its inception in 1995.
For all of you who are attending the Festival, have fun! See ya there!